University of Oregon faculty members and staff can get their hands dirty to clean up the campus grounds during University Day on Thursday, May 16.

No preregistration is required to volunteer at the annual event. Simply show up at the EMU amphitheater, on the corner of East 13th Avenue and University Street, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Volunteers will be assigned to a section of campus to plant flowers, weed flower beds, spread bark dust or clean up litter. New this year is the option to contribute to one of the many community service projects including Greenhill Humane Society, Kids In Transition To Schools, Children's Miracle Network and Sacred Heart Pediatrics.

Committing one hour of time earns employees a free University Day T-shirt and the satisfaction of contributing to a century-old UO tradition.

University Day dates back to 1905 as part of Junior Weekend, when projects included laying the walk to Deady Hall, followed by a meal. It has always been a spirited event to prepare the university grounds for commencement ceremonies.

—By Jennifer Archer, University Communications